US-based varsity student launches HIV support program

A Rwandan university student in the United States, Ornella Umubyeyi, yesterday launched an initiative to support children living with HIV/ Aids. Dubbed ‘A hug movement is a heart movement,’ the program brings together HIV victims to comfort each other including fundraising to pool funds for their financial support. “While at school, I thought of what my role world be in helping fellow Rwandans during this holiday, that’s when I decided to come up with this arrangement,” Umubyeyi told the press during the launch. She added that the campaign will be taken to various parts of the country. “This is just the beginning, but as a way of enabling many HIV victims to benefit, it will be annual and spread to various parts nationwide,” she said. The event attracted stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS and beneficiaries including Amahoro Association-an umbrella of about 1,500 youths living with HIV. Speaking on behalf of the members, the association`s president, Aphrodisiac Ndagijimana, appreciated Umubyeyi`s idea saying it brings hope and comfort amongst them. “Bringing these people together to share their challenges and enjoy this wonderful moment is encouraging and means a lot to them,” Ndagijimana said. He explained that the association brings together orphans who lost their parents to Aids and others whose parents are HIV positive. Ndagijimana called upon members to embrace each other, adding that coming closer sends a strong message of love, togetherness and caring from members of the community. Ends

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US-based varsity student launches HIV support program